The Curtain Theatre Reviewers

Friday 6th March 2026 "Three Little Pigs" Front Door Theatres Derby Theatre We were invited to a sneak preview of Front Door Theatre Three Little Pigs. A quick paced, well written short story based on the popular children’s book. With only two performers, Adam Horvath and Ivan Stott, it takes a lot to keep adults as we as kids entertained for any length of time and these two certainly managed that! They bounce off each so well, with quick reactions and comedic timing. Both showed off their skills with various accents supported by Anita Gilbert, the favourite being the Scottish builder lady.  They both truly are showmen. This was accentuated with Daniel Ellis’ flamboyant directing, who also designed the set, which consisted of a miniature theatre with velvet curtains, cabochon lights, and shell foot lights, perfect for creating a stage for the incredibly made, detailed puppets, made by John Barber.  I enjoyed how the brick how was on a revolve to reveal the inside where the b...

Thursday 5th March 2026 " Glitch " Derby Theatre This piece of theatre is based on true events. It exploits the conflicts, cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of the reality for these sub postmasters during the time where glitches were found in the Horizon system.  The curtains are open, tinsel is spread across the minimalist set. You are taken straight into the joyful vibe of running the post office shop, set in the 90s, before the issues started.  This versatile cast each captured their multiple roles splendidly. Joanne Howarth, who plays Pam Stubbs, is the only person who doesn’t appear as other characters. Pam is at the centre of this story, we first see her as a happy worker who quickly starts to struggle which the new system that has just been installed. Joanne really captures the anger and frustration of Pam as we see the story progress, the longer the issues go on, the more stressed she gets.  Laura Penneycard plays Nora, the naive post office shop assist...